A Field Guide to Team Dynamics and Conflict

Practical tools and frameworks for three main conflict patterns

Author

Jakub Chodounsky
December 16, 2024

AI is no longer just a proof of concept—it’s a core pillar of product strategy. Our 2024 AI Insights Report, based on a survey of 200+ tech leaders, reveals how companies are adapting to AI’s rise, including the shift to multimodal AI. Learn how top teams are answering key questions, like build vs. buy, and discover strategic moves to stay competitive in the AI-driven landscape.

The Red Beads Experiment
9 minutes by Daniel Good

In this article Daniel describes the famous "Red Bead Experiment" by Dr. W. Edwards Deming, which demonstrates how system flaws often wrongly get attributed to worker performance.

This comprehensive field guide explores patterns and tools for managing team dynamics and organizational conflict. The article includes practical tools and frameworks for three main patterns, along with diagnostic lenses for identifying crisis situations and steps for intervention.

Elliot proposes a six-level impact-based system for engineering organizations that applies to both individual contributors and team leads. The system focuses on rewarding business impact rather than tenure or number of direct reports, with levels ranging from executing scoped tasks to being a company-wide force multiplier.

The article discusses the concept of "code-yellows" - emergency situations where teams drop everything to focus on solving critical problems - and why they're effective at startups. Nilam, drawing from his experience at Instacart, explains that while code-yellows can be draining, their real value comes from forcing teams to "sweat the problem harder."

This article shares key insights from transitioning to an Engineering Manager role, highlighting six main challenges. Matheus emphasizes that success as a manager ultimately boils down to two key questions: whether the team is shipping and whether they're happy.

Discover why leading brands like Google, LG, Geico, Headspace, and Toyota leverage Flutter technology to transform app development in the “Flutter CTO Report” by LeanCode. Packed with insights based on real-life experience from 281 CTOs, CIOs, and Engineering Managers, it reveals how this fast-growing framework streamlines processes, cuts costs and enhances app performance. It’s a must-read for businesses aiming to make their apps stand out.

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